Felipe Massa is determined to rekindle Brazil's love affair with the Formula One world title at Interlagos this weekend.

Massa is aiming to become the fourth Brazilian to claim the crown, following in the footsteps of Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet and the late Ayrton Senna.

However, not since 1991, when Senna won the last of his three titles, have the Brazilian people hailed one of their own as a champion.

Somewhat remarkably, Massa has the opportunity to claim the crown on home soil, a feat not achieved since Giuseppe Farini won the inaugural title in 1950 in front of his Italian fans.

Massa, who trails Lewis Hamilton by seven points going into the race at Interlagos, knows just how much it would mean to Brazil should he join his illustrious predecessors as champion.

The Ferrari driver, who was only 10 when Senna took his third title, said: "I remember Senna winning championships and fighting for some others in which he was also very competitive.

"As a Brazilian, Senna was like a kind of god here in Brazil, and before that there was Nelson's father (referring to Piquet junior, sat alongside him).

"I think we have a great country in terms of building drivers, and I would hope we can carry on with that story here.

"I would love to win the championship, that's why I'm here, that's what I'm working for.

"I'm doing my best to achieve my dreams, but also trying to keep up the nice story Brazil has in Formula One. It would be fantastic."

The expectations on Massa are considerable, even though he is a long shot for glory.

Massa has to finish in the top two, while hoping Hamilton endures the kind of misery he suffered here a year ago.

But despite the weight of expectation, he insists the fans are a help, not a hindrance.

"The Brazilian fans know how difficult my task is, but you know how fans are - they are very excited," smiled Massa.

"They try to push you, to put you in the best position, and it is quite a difficult position to be in.

"But they provide me with great motivation, great encouragement, and that is fantastic.

"If I go to restaurants, even if I'm in the street, people see me and congratulate me, and that has provided me with a lot of energy for this weekend.

"That's a great feeling, so it's great to be here, fighting for the championship in my home country, and also in a good position in my career."

Like Hamilton, Massa is close to his family, and they - father Luiz Antonio, mother Ana Elena, sister Fernanda and wife Rafaela Bassi - are also a source of inspiration.

They will all be in attendance at Interlagos, with Massa adding: "Having the family together is very important.

"I've always had my family together in my career, although in go-karts it was a little more difficult because we didn't have much money to go to the races.

"But they were always close even then as I talked to them on the phone every day.

"Family are important because when you are happy in your private life, you want them with you because that makes your professional life even better.

"So when you get inside the car some of the problems are taken away."

Massa then joked: "But it's a good job I don't always take my mum's advice, otherwise I would drive very slowly."